The Influence of Moderate Drinking
Mr. Roosevelt's slander suit against a Michigan editor has occupied considerable space in the papers, and resulted in his favor so far as overcoming the specific charges that were made against him is concerned. But in the trial, Mr. Roosevelt not only admitted but affirmed that under certain conditions and on certain occasions he did take certain kinds of intoxicating drinks. Mr. Roosevelt's name has been honorably and conspicuously before not only this nation but the world for many years. He is a man who has exerted a very powerful influence; and when these facts in regard to his habits were so prominently brought out in that trial, the liquor interests lost no time in getting out special advertisements in the which they use Mr. Roosevelt's name as high authority upon certain drinks, and they set him forth for an example of the kind of drinking man they prefer. They say that he is one who knows “just what and how much and when he should drink.” The claim has been made that the moderate drinker of high social standing exerts the strongest and the worst influence against temperance. How much better it is for a man to take a positive stand that he will not under any circumstances touch or taste any kind of intoxicating beverage! Then there is no question about his influence being on the right side. He will never have to think of young men who have tried to follow his example of moderate drinking and who have made wrecks of their lives, and broken the hearts of their relatives.